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nicamooch's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Gosh, the prose in this book is so beautiful I wish I had been reading a physical copy so I could have a representation of how much I annotated as I read.
Both Robin and Edwin’s perspectives were such joys to read—I loved the character development and adored every social interaction between them and other characters.
The romance was so so sweet 😭 reading these two fall in love 😫 the way they understand each other and care for each other 😭😭😭😭
I love the world building and magic system (cradling is such a cool concept!) I feel that it really shines in the little details of it throughout the book. The mystery twists were also satisfying!
(My singular gripe was that some mishaps in the middle of the book felt a little too easily overcome/solved but that’s it. Honestly, just reading Marske’s prose makes me ascend so I didn’t even care that much lmao)
(My singular gripe was that some mishaps in the middle of the book felt a little too easily overcome/solved but that’s it. Honestly, just reading Marske’s prose makes me ascend so I didn’t even care that much lmao)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Violence, Bullying, and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Self harm, Homophobia, Sexism, Ableism, Cursing, and Blood
witmol's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Magic system was well thought out: I liked the interplay between precision and power as a reflection of the characters. The divide between codified learning (scholars, men etc) versus empirical learning (largely women) is well drawn and looks to be a pivotal part of how Edwin will proceed with his mission.
I like how the relationship grows and changes between Edwin and Robin but I often think it's in the foreground to what I feel is the main plot: the quest to find out who is behind Reggie's death and the bigger reason of why. There are also a lot of connections bubbling in the the background to do with minor characters (e.g. Lord Hawthorn, Maud, Addy and Kitty) that I feel will come to fruition in later books but in this novel they feel like red herrings.
I didn't realise this was part of a trilogy when I started so I'm really keen for the next couple of books. You can comfortably read this as a standalone, though.
The strangers-to-lovers dynamic between Edwin and Robin was nicely done, though there's probably about 30% more sex than necessary for plot/character development. Always love a good 'stoic loner inadvertently admits he's in love with an affable baronet when he doesn't know the baronet is listening' moment.
I like how the relationship grows and changes between Edwin and Robin but I often think it's in the foreground to what I feel is the main plot: the quest to find out who is behind Reggie's death and the bigger reason of why. There are also a lot of connections bubbling in the the background to do with minor characters (e.g. Lord Hawthorn, Maud, Addy and Kitty) that I feel will come to fruition in later books but in this novel they feel like red herrings.
I didn't realise this was part of a trilogy when I started so I'm really keen for the next couple of books. You can comfortably read this as a standalone, though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Self harm
qludwig's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A wonderful magical adventure with a really strong queer romance at the heart of it all. Well paced between exciting plot and emotional feeling. I can’t wait to read the second book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism, Homophobia, and Death
Minor: Death of parent and Cursing
caseythereader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Thanks to Tordotcom for the free advance copy of this book.
- A MARVELLOUS LIGHT is one half magical murder mystery, one half slow burn queer romance.
- Robin and Edwin are a wonderfully mismatched pair, and the world they inhabit is unlike anything I've read in a long time, with an inventive magic system woven into the structure of Edwardian high society we know.
- I did feel like it dragged quite a bit, unfortunately: there necessarily needed to be a lot of speculating and planning happening. One of those books where a thing happens and then we discuss and re-discuss it, you know?
- A MARVELLOUS LIGHT is one half magical murder mystery, one half slow burn queer romance.
- Robin and Edwin are a wonderfully mismatched pair, and the world they inhabit is unlike anything I've read in a long time, with an inventive magic system woven into the structure of Edwardian high society we know.
- I did feel like it dragged quite a bit, unfortunately: there necessarily needed to be a lot of speculating and planning happening. One of those books where a thing happens and then we discuss and re-discuss it, you know?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexism, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol and Chronic illness
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